Dental treatment instrument

Abstract

To provide a dental treatment instrument, regardless of a contactless operation, allowing a user to operate with a same feeling as that of the conventional touch panel or switch without a sense of incongruity in operating displayed operation buttons.SOLUTION: A control device 9 includes a space display device 80 for displaying an image of operation buttons for operating a medical treatment instrument 10 in a prescribed space; and a sensor 83 for detecting a user's operation onto a prescribed space, the control device 9 when the sensor 83 detects the user's operation onto an operation button displayed in the prescribed space, controlling the medical treatment instrument 10 according to the operation button. When a prescribed event occurs, the control device 9 validates the user's operation detected by the sensor 83 to control the medical treatment instrument 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to dental diagnostic equipment. [Background technology]

[0002] In the field of dentistry, a practitioner (user) treats a patient's teeth using dental equipment (e.g., a handpiece, a scaler, an intraoral 3D scanner, a 2D handheld camera, a root canal treatment device, or an LED light curing device) connected to a control device via a cable, etc. In addition, the practitioner can change the settings of the dental equipment, start and stop the dental equipment, etc., by operating operation buttons provided on the control device while treating the patient's teeth.

[0003] However, the hands and fingers of the surgeon may be contaminated with bacteria, viruses, etc. by coming into contact with the inside of the patient's mouth during treatment. Therefore, from a hygienic standpoint, it is not preferable for the surgeon to directly operate the operation buttons provided on the control device with his or her hands or fingers during treatment.

[0004] Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses a medical diagnostic device that allows an operation to be input to a control device without direct contact. The medical diagnostic device of Patent Document 1 is provided with an optical phase difference sensor means that detects an operation by an operator, and an operation can be performed on the device without direct contact based on the operation by the operator detected by the optical phase difference sensor means. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5570801 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the medical diagnostic device of Patent Document 1 employs an optical phase difference sensor means, and therefore requires operations such as changing settings of the dental device and starting and stopping the dental device to be performed using touchless motion operations that are different from operations using touch panels, switches, etc. Therefore, the surgeon must learn touchless motion operations that are different from the conventional operations using touch panels, switches, etc., and there is a problem that it takes time to get used to the operations.

[0007] Furthermore, in the medical diagnostic device of Patent Document 1, the selection icon displayed on the PC display device is moved in the XYZ directions by touchless motion operation, but there is always a distance between the display on the PC display device and the surgeon's fingers. Therefore, there is always a discrepancy between the position of the selection icon on the PC display device that the surgeon sees and the position operated by touchless motion operation, so the surgeon may feel uncomfortable operating the selection icon (operation button) displayed on the PC display device.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a dental treatment device that allows contactless operation, yet does not feel strange when operating displayed operation buttons, and can be operated with the same feel as conventional touch panels or switches. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The dental treatment equipment according to the present disclosure is a dental treatment equipment comprising: a treatment chair on which a patient can sit and lie on their back when receiving treatment from a surgeon; a monitor for displaying a predetermined image; a tray table; a spatial display device including a display unit for displaying an image including at least operation buttons for operating an intraoral camera; and an image formation plate for forming an image displayed on the display unit in a predetermined space on the tray table; a detection unit for detecting a user's operation on the predetermined space in which the image is displayed; and a monitor control unit for displaying an image of the oral cavity captured by the intraoral camera on the monitor as the predetermined image when the detection unit detects that an operation button for the image formed in the predetermined space has been operated. Effect of the Invention

[0010] In the dental treatment equipment disclosed herein, a detection unit detects user operation on a specified space in which an image of an operation button is displayed. Therefore, even though the operation is non-contact, there is no discrepancy between the position of the operation button that the user sees and the position at which the operation is performed, and the user can operate the operation button without feeling uncomfortable. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the external configuration of a medical diagnostic device. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic internal configuration of a medical diagnostic device; [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a display of an operation panel image. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining the structure of a spatial display device that displays an operation panel image. [Diagram 5] 10 is a flowchart for explaining a display process of medical diagnostic equipment. [Figure 6] 13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining a display mode of an operation panel image in which operation buttons cannot be operated. [Figure 7] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating an example of an operation panel having different display positions. [Figure 8] 11 is a diagram for explaining an operation panel displayed on the lighting device. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an operation panel displayed on a treatment chair. [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart for explaining a process of switching the display position of medical diagnostic equipment. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a display on a monitor. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the display of an operation panel image of another medical diagnostic device. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the display of an operation panel image of yet another medical diagnostic device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] In this embodiment, an operation panel of a medical diagnostic device that can be used for dental treatment will be described as one exemplary form of an operation panel that displays images of operation buttons in a predetermined space. Note that the operation panel of the medical diagnostic device can be applied not only to dentistry but also to all medical treatments such as ophthalmology, otorhinolaryngology, radiology, and veterinary medicine. Moreover, the treatment includes diagnosis and treatment.

[0014] (Embodiment 1) Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the external configuration of the medical diagnostic device 10. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the medical diagnostic device 10.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the medical diagnostic equipment 10 includes a diagnostic chair 1, a foot controller 5, a tray table 3, a control device 9, an instrument holder 30, a speaker 20, monitors 6 and 50, a basin unit 2, and a lighting device 7.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 2, the medical diagnostic device 10 includes an operation unit 12, a seat drive unit 11, a panel control unit 13, a diagnostic instrument drive unit 14, a monitor control unit 15, 15a, a basin control unit 16, and a lighting control unit 17 as functional units that perform functions. Each of these functional units has a role as a functional unit that performs a function based on an operation by an operator (user) on an image of an operation button (hereinafter, an image displaying a plurality of operation buttons in an operation space is also referred to as an operation panel image 8) displayed on a spatial display device 80 (spatial display unit) described later. Each of these functional units and the control device 9 is configured by a computer equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory (ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory) (not shown) etc. mounted on a board.

[0017] The treatment chair 1 is a chair on which a patient sits when receiving treatment from a surgeon, and is equipped with a headrest 1a that supports the patient's head, a backrest 1b that supports the patient's back, a seat 1c that supports the patient's tail, and a footrest 1d that supports the patient's feet. The headrest 1a, the backrest 1b, the seat 1c, and the footrest 1d are connected to a seat drive unit 11. The seat drive unit 11 drives the headrest 1a, the backrest 1b, the seat 1c, and the footrest 1d.

[0018] For example, the seat 1c can be raised (also referred to as raising the medical chair 1) based on the control of the seat drive unit 11, thereby raising the patient sitting on the medical chair 1. On the other hand, the seat 1c can be lowered (also referred to as lowering the medical chair 1) based on the control of the seat drive unit 11, thereby lowering the patient sitting on the medical chair 1. Also, the headrest 1a, the backrest 1b, and the footrest 1d can be moved vertically relative to the seat 1c (also referred to as raising the medical chair 1), thereby allowing the patient sitting on the medical chair 1 to take a sitting position. On the other hand, the headrest 1a, the backrest 1b, and the footrest 1d can be moved horizontally relative to the seat 1c (also referred to as tilting the medical chair 1), thereby allowing the patient sitting on the medical chair 1 to take a supine position.

[0019] In this manner, the seat drive unit 11 has the function of raising, lowering, standing up, and tilting the treatment chair 1 by driving the headrest 1a, the backrest 1b, the seat cushion 1c, and the footrest 1d.

[0020] The seat driving unit 11 also includes a pinch detection unit 11a. The pinch detection unit 11a is connected to the treatment chair 1 and detects whether the patient's clothes, cords, etc. are pinched by driving the treatment chair 1, and prohibits the treatment chair 1 from being driven when pinch is detected.

[0021] The foot controller 5 receives an operation for driving the treatment chair 1 by a foot operation of an operator or the like, and also receives an operation for driving the treatment instrument 4 described later.

[0022] For example, by stepping on a switch for driving the treatment chair provided on the foot controller 5, a control signal is output from the operation unit 12 provided in the foot controller 5 to the seat drive unit 11, and the treatment chair 1 is driven by the control of the seat drive unit 11. Also, by stepping on a switch for driving a treatment instrument provided on the foot controller 5, a control signal is output from the operation unit 12 to the treatment instrument drive unit 14, and the treatment instrument 4 is driven by the control of the treatment instrument drive unit 14.

[0023] In this way, the operation unit 12 has a function of accepting operations for driving the treatment chair 1, the treatment instrument 4, and the like.

[0024] The tray table 3 is used as a storage table during treatment. The tray table 3 is connected to an arm (not shown) extending from the treatment chair 1 or the floor, and can be manually rotated, moved horizontally, and moved vertically relative to the treatment chair 1.

[0025] A control device 9 is provided on the bottom surface of the tray table 3. A plurality of medical instruments 4, a spatial display device 80, a sensor 83, an instrument holder 30, a speaker 20, and a monitor 6 are connected to the control device 9. The control device 9 is a control unit for driving each of these components.

[0026] The medical instruments 4 are instruments used in medical treatment, such as an air turbine handpiece (high-speed handpiece), a micromotor handpiece (low-speed handpiece), a scaler, a three-way syringe, a vacuum syringe, etc. The medical instruments 4 are not limited to these, and may be an intraoral camera, a photopolymerization irradiator, a root canal length measuring instrument, a root canal enlarger, etc., or may be a non-driven instrument such as a mirror or a syringe.

[0027] In this embodiment, five types of medical instruments 4a to 4e are used. High-speed handpieces (also called HS (HS1, HS2)) are used as the medical instruments 4a and 4b, low-speed handpieces (also called LS (LS1, LS2)) are used as the medical instruments 4c and 4d, and a scaler (also called SC) is used as the medical instrument 4e. These medical instruments 4 are held by an instrument holder 30. When a medical instrument 4 to be used is removed from the instrument holder 30, the instrument holder 30 releases the instrument from its holding state. When the instrument holder 30 releases the instrument 4 from its holding state, the medical instrument 4 is in a selected state.

[0028] Each of the medical instruments 4 is connected to a medical instrument driving unit 14 provided in the control device 9. The medical instrument driving unit 14 drives each of the medical instruments 4 based on a user's operation received by the operation unit 12. For example, based on the control of the medical instrument driving unit 14, a cutting tool held in the head of HS1 or HS2 rotates and can be used for dental treatment.

[0029] In this manner, the medical instrument driving unit 14 has a function of driving the medical instrument 4 based on the user's operation.

[0030] The spatial display device 80 displays an operation panel image 8 in a predetermined space of the tray table 3. As described later, the operation panel image 8 is displayed in the space between the instrument holder 30 and the upper end of the tray table 3 as the predetermined space of the tray table 3 (see FIG. 3). However, in FIG. 1, since the spatial display device 80 is in the OFF state, the operation panel image 8 is not displayed in the predetermined space of the tray table 3.

[0031] The operation panel image 8 displays each operation button operated to perform each function as an identifiable icon or the like. A user such as a surgeon can operate each operation button by moving a finger to the position of each operation button displayed on the operation panel image 8. The sensor 83 can detect a user's operation on a predetermined space in which the operation panel image 8 is displayed on the spatial display device 80. Therefore, when the user's finger overlaps the position of an operation button on the operation panel image 8 displayed on the spatial display device 80, the sensor 83 detects that the operation button at that position has been operated.

[0032] The spatial display device 80 and the sensor 83 are connected to a panel control unit 13 included in the control device 9. The panel control unit 13 controls the spatial display device 80 to display operation buttons corresponding to functional units that can perform a function on the operation panel image 8. Furthermore, when the sensor 83 detects that the user's finger is placed over the displayed operation button, the panel control unit 13 outputs a control signal to the functional unit corresponding to the operated operation button to cause it to perform the function.

[0033] In this way, the panel control unit 13 has the function of displaying an operation button on the operation panel image 8 displayed on the spatial display device 80 depending on whether or not the function can be performed, and has the function of causing the functional unit to perform a function corresponding to the operation of the operation button detected by the sensor 83.

[0034] The instrument holder 30 is a holding member that holds the medical instruments 4, and is connected to a holding release identifying unit 18 provided in the control device 9. The holding release identifying unit 18 identifies the medical instruments 4 held by the instrument holder 30 and the medical instruments 4 whose holding has been released, and outputs a control signal capable of identifying the result of the determination to the panel control unit 13.

[0035] The speaker 20 outputs a predetermined sound. The speaker 20 is connected to an alarm sound output unit 19 included in the control device 9. The alarm sound output unit 19 drives the speaker 20 to output an alarm sound based on a control signal from the panel control unit 13. In this embodiment, for example, when an operation button that cannot function even when an operation button of the operation panel image 8 displayed on the spatial display device 80 is operated, an alarm sound is output from the speaker 20 based on the control of the alarm sound output unit 19.

[0036] The monitor 6 is composed of a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays a predetermined image under the control of a monitor control unit 15 included in the control device 9. For example, under the control of the monitor control unit 15, the monitor 6 can display an image showing the driving information of a medical instrument 4 that has been taken out of the instrument holder 30 and is being used, an image showing the position of the tip of a cutting tool in a root canal, an image of the oral cavity captured by an intraoral camera, and the like.

[0037] In this way, the monitor control unit 15 has a function of displaying a predetermined image on the screen of the monitor 6.

[0038] The basin unit 2 is attached to the side of the treatment chair 1, and includes a basin 2a with a drain hole, a cup stand 2b on which a cup is placed, and a water supply tap 2c for supplying water to the cup. The basin unit 2 is a stand on which a patient gargles with water supplied from the water supply tap 2c to the cup. The basin unit 2 also includes a basin control unit 16, and controls the flow of water used in the medical examination device 10 under the control of the basin control unit 16.

[0039] In this manner, the basin control section 16 has the function of controlling the flow of water used in the medical diagnostic device 10.

[0040] Furthermore, the basin unit 2 includes a lighting control unit 17, which controls turning on and off the lighting device 7.

[0041] In this way, the lighting control unit 17 has a function of controlling turning on and off the lighting device 7 (also referred to as a lighting control function).

[0042] The basin unit 2 also includes a monitor control unit 15a and a monitor 50. The monitor 50 is configured with a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays a predetermined image based on the control of the monitor control unit 15a. For example, based on the control of the monitor control unit 15a, an image showing the position of the tip of the cutting tool in the root canal, an image of the oral cavity captured by an intraoral camera, and the like can be displayed on the monitor 50.

[0043] In this manner, the monitor control unit 15a has a function of causing the monitor 50 to display a predetermined image on its screen.

[0044] The medical diagnostic device 10 may have a configuration other than that shown in FIG. 1 and a functional unit other than that shown in FIG.

[0045] Next, the operation panel image 8 displayed on the spatial display device 80 will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the display of the operation panel image. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the structure of the spatial display device that displays the operation panel image. The spatial display device 80 is a three-dimensional display device that uses a mirror array imaging element to display the operation panel image 8 in a predetermined space of the tray table 3. The spatial display device 80 is provided inside the tray table 3 as shown in FIG. 4, and when turned on, displays the operation panel image 8 in the space between the instrument holder 30 and the top end of the tray table 3.

[0046] The operation panel image 8 is displayed floating in space as shown in Fig. 3, and displays a plurality of operation buttons such as icons. The operation buttons displayed on the operation panel image 8 include, for example, an operation button that performs a function of moving the treatment chair 1 to a predetermined position with one press (also called chair auto function), an operation button that performs a function of switching the illumination device 7 on and off, and an operation button that performs a function of switching the setting range of the rotation speed of the low-speed handpiece (LS) and the setting range of the drive force of the scaler (SC).

[0047] In addition to the operation buttons, the operation panel image 8 displays a digital display section that displays the maximum LS RPM and the maximum SC driving force according to the set range. While watching the digital display section, the user can operate the "minus" operation button to set the LS RPM and SC driving force to a low value, and can operate the "plus" operation button to set the LS RPM and SC driving force to a high value.

[0048] In the operation panel image 8, the user operates operation buttons that are displayed floating in space, allowing the user to perform each function in the same way as with conventional touch panels, switches, etc. Also, there is no need to learn new operations such as touchless motion operations, and users who are accustomed to operating conventional operation panels can operate them in the same way.

[0049] Furthermore, in the operation panel image 8, when the user's finger overlaps the position of the operation button displayed on the spatial display device 80, the sensor 83 detects that the operation button at that position has been operated. Therefore, there is little misalignment between the position of the operation button and the user's finger when operating the operation button, and the user can operate the operation button without feeling uncomfortable compared to the case where an optical phase difference sensor means is used.

[0050] Next, the configuration of the spatial display device 80 that displays operation buttons in a predetermined space will be described in more detail. The spatial display device 80 includes a display unit 81 that displays an image of an operation panel including a plurality of operation buttons, and an image forming plate 82 that forms an image of the image displayed on the display unit 81 in a predetermined space. The display unit 81 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. However, the display unit 81 is not limited to this, and may be any display device that can display an image of the operation panel, such as a plasma display, an organic EL display, or a cathode ray tube display.

[0051] The imaging plate 82 is a mirror array imaging element, and has a plurality of first light reflecting sections arranged with a gap therebetween, and a plurality of second light reflecting sections arranged perpendicular to the first light reflecting sections. Therefore, when an image of an operation panel is displayed on the display unit 81, the light of the image is reflected by the first light reflecting sections and the second light reflecting sections of the imaging plate 82, and the image of the operation panel is formed as the operation panel image 8 in the space on the opposite side of the imaging plate 82 from the display unit 81.

[0052] The spatial display device 80 shown in Fig. 4 is provided inside the tray table 3. In particular, the display unit 81 is attached to the inside of the upper surface of the tray table 3, and displays an image of an operation panel in the direction of the bottom surface of the tray table 3. In other words, the display unit 81 is attached parallel to the upper surface of the tray table 3, with the display surface facing the bottom surface.

[0053] The imaging plate 82 is provided inside the tray table 3 and abuts against one side of the display unit 81. The imaging plate 82 is provided at a position rotated a predetermined angle around the side that abuts against the display unit 81 as an axis. When the imaging plate 82 is provided at a position rotated a predetermined angle with respect to the display unit 81, the image of the display unit 81 is imaged at a position further rotated a predetermined angle from the imaging plate 82 and is displayed as the operation panel image 8. Therefore, the position where the operation panel image 8 is displayed is the space outside the end of the tray table 3.

[0054] A sensor 83 is further provided at the end of the tray table 3. The sensor 83 is a detection unit that detects a user's operation in a predetermined space in which the operation panel image 8 is displayed on the spatial display device 80. The sensor 83 is, for example, an infrared sensor, and acquires position information of the user's fingers in the space in which the operation panel image 8 is displayed, and detects the user's operation based on information on the display position of an operation button of the operation panel image 8 that overlaps with the position. Note that the sensor 83 is not limited to an infrared sensor, and may be any sensor that detects a user's operation in a predetermined space.

[0055] Next, Fig. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the display process of the medical diagnostic device 10. First, when the power supply of the medical diagnostic device 10 is turned on, the control device 9 executes a display initial process such as resetting the image memory and displaying an initial screen of the spatial display device 80 (step S11). The control device 9 executes a sensor invalidation process so that the sensor 83 does not erroneously detect the user's operation until the operation panel image 8 is displayed and the sensor 83 can detect the user's operation (step S12). The control device 9 executes a counter initialization process for initializing a counter that counts the time until the operation of the operation button of the operation panel image 8 described later is prohibited (step S13).

[0056] The control device 9 judges whether a predetermined event has occurred (step S14). For example, when the user operates the foot controller 5 and the control signal is input from the operation unit 12, the control device 9 judges that a predetermined event has occurred. The predetermined event is not limited to the user operating the foot controller 5, but may be any event that detects an operation of an operation unit that is not operated directly by the user's hands among the operation units provided in the medical diagnostic device 10. The operation unit that is not operated directly by the user's hands includes, for example, an imaging device that receives an operation by a change in the user's line of sight or a gesture, a microphone that receives an operation by the user's voice, and an operation to remove the medical instrument 4 to be used from the instrument holder 30.

[0057] When it is determined that the predetermined event has not occurred (NO in step S14), the control device 9 returns the process to step S14 and monitors the occurrence of the predetermined event. When it is determined that the predetermined event has occurred (YES in step S14), the control device 9 performs a spatial display process in which the spatial display device 80 displays the operation panel image 8 in a predetermined space (step S15). Specifically, as the spatial display process, the control device 9 causes the spatial display device 80 to display the operation panel image 8 in a display mode in which the user can operate the operation buttons as shown in FIG. 2.

[0058] In this embodiment, the operation buttons of the operation panel image 8 are displayed in a predetermined space by the spatial display device 80, and the user can operate the buttons or switches without touching them directly. However, since the operation buttons of the operation panel image 8 are merely displayed in the space, and no physical objects are present, it is possible that the user may mistakenly enter the space in which the operation buttons are displayed. In such a case, the device may malfunction against the user's intention. In particular, in the medical diagnostic device 10, it was necessary to prevent malfunctions during treatment in order to ensure the safety of patients. Therefore, in this embodiment, the operation panel image 8 is displayed in a display mode in which the operation buttons can be operated only when a predetermined event occurs based on the intention of the user who operates the operation buttons of the operation panel image 8.

[0059] On the other hand, when a predetermined event has not occurred (other than when a predetermined event occurs), the control device 9 displays an image on the spatial display device 80 in a display mode in which the user cannot operate the operation button. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a display mode of the operation panel image 8 in which the operation button cannot be operated. In the operation panel image 8 shown in FIG. 6, instead of the icon of the operation button, the word "Not available" is displayed, indicating that the operation button cannot be operated. The display mode of the operation panel image 8 in which the operation button cannot be operated is not limited to the display mode shown in FIG. 6, and may be other display modes as long as it can notify the user that the operation button cannot be operated. The display mode may include, for example, a display mode in which the color of the icon is changed depending on whether the operation button is operable or not, a mode in which only the icon of the operation button that can be operated is displayed, and an unoperable icon is not displayed. In other words, the control device 9 may change the display mode between when a predetermined event occurs and other cases and display it on the spatial display device 80. The control device 9 may not display the operation panel image 8 itself when a predetermined event does not occur.

[0060] The control device 9 judges whether or not the user has performed a non-touch operation on the operation button of the operation panel image 8 displayed in an operable display mode (step S16). Here, the non-touch operation by the user means that the sensor 83 detects that the user's finger is placed over the position of the operation button displayed on the spatial display device 80. If the user has performed a non-touch operation (YES in step S16), the control device 9 executes a sensor enable process that performs control to perform a function corresponding to the operation button on which the user performed a non-touch operation (step S17). This allows the user to operate the operation button of the operation panel image 8 displayed in the space to control the seat drive unit 11, the lighting control unit 17, and the like.

[0061] On the other hand, if there is no non-touch operation by the user (NO in step S16), the control device 9 displays the operation panel image 8 in a display mode in which the operation buttons can be operated, and then increments the count of a counter that counts the period during which the user does not perform a non-touch operation by 1 (step S18). Here, the counter increments the count by 1 every second, for example. The control device 9 determines whether the count is greater than 10 (step S19). That is, the control device 9 determines whether the period during which the user does not perform a non-touch operation has continued for 10 seconds.

[0062] If the control device 9 determines that the count is 10 or less (NO in step S19), the control device 9 returns the process to step S14, and continues the process of determining whether or not the user has performed a non-touch operation on the operation button of the operation panel image 8 as long as the predetermined event continues to occur. If the control device 9 determines that the count is greater than 10 (YES in step S19), the control device 9 determines that the user has not operated the operation button within a predetermined time, prohibits the sensor 83 from detecting the user's operation, and causes the spatial display device 80 to display the operation panel image 8 in a display mode in which the user cannot operate the operation button (step S20). The display mode in which the operation button cannot be operated is, for example, the mode shown in FIG. 6. In addition to displaying the operation panel image 8 in a display mode in which the operation button cannot be operated, the control device 9 may also hide the image of the operation panel image 8 itself on the spatial display device 80.

[0063] After steps S17 and S20, the control device 9 judges whether or not the end of the display process has been received (step S21). If the end of the display process has been received (YES in step S21), the control device 9 ends the display process. On the other hand, if the end of the display process has not been received (NO in step S21), the control device 9 returns the process to step S13.

[0064] In the above embodiment, it has been described that the operation panel image 8 is displayed in the space between the instrument holder 30 and the upper surface edge of the tray table 3 as shown in Fig. 3. However, the display position of the operation panel image 8 displayed on the tray table 3 is not limited to the space between the instrument holder 30 and the upper surface edge of the tray table 3. Fig. 7 shows an example of an operation panel having a different display position. Fig. 7(a) shows the operation panel image 8 displayed on the upper surface of the tray table 3 at the edge of the tray table 3. Fig. 7(b) shows the operation panel image 8 displayed on the upper surface of the tray table 3 at the center of the tray table 3.

[0065] In this way, the control device for controlling the medical diagnostic device 10 according to the first embodiment includes a spatial display device 80 for displaying in a predetermined space images of operation buttons for operating the medical diagnostic device 10, a sensor 83 for detecting a user's operation on the predetermined space, and a control device 9 for controlling the medical diagnostic device 10 according to the operation button when the sensor 83 detects the user's operation on the operation button displayed in the predetermined space. When a predetermined event occurs, the control device 9 controls the medical diagnostic device 10 by validating the user's operation detected by the sensor 83.

[0066] With this configuration, the control device 9 according to the first embodiment detects a user's operation in a predetermined space with the sensor 83, so that even though it is a non-contact operation, there is no deviation between the position of the operation button that the user sees and the position where the operation is performed, and the user can operate the operation button without feeling uncomfortable. Also, the control device 9 validates the user's operation detected by the sensor 83 only when a predetermined event occurs, so that it is possible to prevent the operation button from being operated by mistake.

[0067] The medical diagnostic device 10 may be a dental diagnostic device, or may be a dental diagnostic system including a dental diagnostic device and the control device 9 described above.

[0068] The control method includes a spatial display device 80 that displays an image of an operation button for operating the medical treatment device 10 in a predetermined space, a sensor 83 that detects a user's operation on the predetermined space, and a control device 9 that controls the medical treatment device 10 according to the operation button when the sensor 83 detects the user's operation on the operation button displayed in the predetermined space. The control method includes a step of determining whether a predetermined event has occurred in the control device 9, and a step of validating the user's operation detected by the sensor 83 and controlling the medical treatment device when the predetermined event has been determined to have occurred. By configuring in this way, the control method according to the first embodiment validates the user's operation detected by the sensor 83 only when the predetermined event has occurred, so that it is possible to prevent the operation button from being operated erroneously.

[0069] The control device 9 may change the display mode between when a predetermined event occurs and when not, and cause the spatial display device 80 to display the operation panel image 8. This allows the user to easily determine whether an operation on the operation panel image 8 is valid or invalid.

[0070] When a predetermined event occurs, the control device 9 may cause the spatial display device 80 to display the operation panel image 8 in a display mode in which the user can operate the operation buttons, and in other cases, may cause the spatial display device 80 to display the operation panel image 8 in a display mode in which the user cannot operate the operation buttons. This allows the user to easily determine whether the operation buttons on the operation panel image 8 can be operated or not.

[0071] When a predetermined event occurs but the user does not operate the operation button within a predetermined time (e.g., 10 seconds), the control device 9 may prohibit the sensor 83 from detecting the user's operation and cause the spatial display device 80 to display the operation panel image 8 in a display mode in which the user cannot operate the operation button, or may cause the spatial display device 80 to hide the operation panel image 8. This allows the control device 9 to prevent the user from operating the operation button by mistake and thereby causing a function that the user does not want to be performed.

[0072] The occurrence of a predetermined event may be a case where an operation of an operation unit that is not directly operated by the user's hands is detected among the operation units provided in the medical diagnostic device 10. The operation units that are not directly operated by the user's hands include, for example, at least an operation unit that accepts an operation by the user's foot, an operation unit that accepts an operation by the user's gesture, and an operation unit that accepts an operation by the user's voice.

[0073] (Embodiment 2) In the first embodiment, a medical diagnostic device 10 that displays an operation panel image 8 on a tray table 3 has been described. However, there are cases where a user wishes to display the operation panel at a position that is easier to operate than the tray table during treatment. In this regard, in the second embodiment, a medical diagnostic device that allows the position at which the operation panel image 8 is displayed to be changed will be described. In the second embodiment, the same components as those of the medical diagnostic device 10 described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[0074] In the medical examination equipment according to the second embodiment, not only the tray table 3 is provided with a spatial display device 80, but also the lighting device 7 and the treatment chair 1 are provided with a spatial display device 80. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the operation panel image 8 displayed on the lighting device 7. The lighting device 7 shown in FIG. 8 is provided with a spatial display device 80 and an imaging device 90. In FIG. 8(a), the spatial display device 80 is provided on the lower part of the lighting device 7, so that the operation panel image 8 is displayed on the lower part of the lighting device 7. In FIG. 8(b), the spatial display device 80 is provided on the upper part of the lighting device 7, so that the operation panel image 8 is displayed on the upper part of the lighting device 7. In the lighting device 7 shown in FIG. 8, the imaging device 90 provided near the spatial display device 80 monitors the user's line of sight, and displays the operation panel image 8 when it is determined that the user's line of sight is directed in the direction of the lighting device 7. Here, the imaging device 90 operates as a line of sight detection unit that detects the user's line of sight. Although not shown, the spatial display device 80 is provided with a sensor, and can detect the user's operation on the operation panel image 8. In addition, the types of operation buttons included in the operation panel image 8 displayed on the lighting device 7 are not the same as the types of operation buttons included in the operation panel image 8 displayed on the tray table 3, but are limited to the operation buttons required for the lighting device 7.

[0075] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the operation panel image 8 displayed on the medical chair 1. The medical chair 1 shown in FIG. 9 is provided with a spatial display device 80 and an imaging device 90 on the backrest 1b. In FIG. 9, the spatial display devices 80 are provided on both sides of the backrest 1b across the headrest 1a, and the operation panel image 8 is displayed on each side. The imaging device 90 is provided on one side, but may be provided on both sides. The spatial display device 80 may be provided on either side of the backrest 1b. In the medical chair 1 shown in FIG. 9, the imaging device 90 provided near the spatial display device 80 monitors the user's line of sight, and displays the operation panel image 8 when it is determined that the user's line of sight is directed toward the backrest 1b. In other words, when the user is examining the oral cavity of a patient in the headrest 1a, the operation panel image 8 of the backrest 1b is not displayed, and when the user directs his / her line of sight from the oral cavity of the patient toward the backrest 1b, the operation panel image 8 of the backrest 1b is displayed. Although not shown, the spatial display device 80 is provided with a sensor, which can detect a user's operation on the operation panel image 8. In addition, the types of operation buttons included in the operation panel image 8 displayed on the treatment chair 1 are not the same as the types of operation buttons included in the operation panel image 8 displayed on the tray table 3, but are limited to operation buttons necessary for the treatment chair 1.

[0076] In the medical diagnostic equipment 10 according to the second embodiment, although not shown, the tray table 3 is also provided with a spatial display device 80 and an imaging device 90. Therefore, in the tray table 3, the imaging device 90 provided near the spatial display device 80 monitors the line of sight of the user, and displays the operation panel image 8 when it is determined that the user's line of sight is directed in the direction of the tray table 3.

[0077] Next, the process in which the control device 9 switches the spatial display devices 80 provided at multiple positions on the medical and medical equipment 10 to display the operation panel image 8 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the process of switching the display position of the medical and medical equipment 10. First, the control device 9 judges whether or not any one of the spatial display devices 80 provided at multiple positions on the medical and medical equipment 10 is displaying the operation panel image 8 in a predetermined space (step S31). If the operation panel image 8 is not being displayed in the predetermined space (NO in step S31), the control device 9 returns the process to step S31. On the other hand, if the operation panel image 8 is being displayed in the predetermined space (YES in step S31), the control device 9 judges whether or not the medical and medical equipment 10 is operating (step S32). If the medical and medical equipment 10 is not operating (NO in step S32), the control device 9 returns the process to step S31.

[0078] When the medical diagnostic device 10 is in operation (YES in step S32), the control device 9 judges whether or not it is necessary to prohibit the operation of the operation button displayed on the operation panel image 8 according to the operating status of the medical diagnostic device 10 (step S33). In the medical diagnostic device 10, for example, when a user is operating the foot controller 5 to drive the diagnostic instrument 4, which is a high-speed handpiece, it is necessary to prohibit the user from accidentally operating the operation button to move the diagnostic chair 1. Therefore, when it is judged that it is necessary to prohibit the operation of the operation button (YES in step S33), the control device 9 executes a sensor disable process so that the sensor 83 does not erroneously detect the user's operation (step S34).

[0079] After executing the sensor disable process in step S34, the control device 9 displays an indication of operation prohibition as the operation panel image 8 in order to notify the user of information that operation of the operation button is prohibited (step S35). For example, as in the operation panel image 8 shown in Fig. 6, the word "Not available" is displayed, which indicates that operation of the operation button is not possible.

[0080] Returning to step S3, if it is determined that there is no need to prohibit operation of the operation buttons (NO in step S33), the control device 9 determines whether or not it is necessary to change the display position of the operation panel image 8 (step S36). If it is not necessary to change the display position of the operation panel image 8 (NO in step S36), the control device 9 returns the process to step S31. On the other hand, if it is necessary to change the display position of the operation panel image 8 (YES in step S36), the control device 9 changes the display position of the operation panel image 8 displayed in the specified space (step S37).

[0081] As described above, when the medical examination equipment 10 includes, for example, the examination chair 1, the tray table 3, and the lighting device 7, respectively, the spatial display device 80 and the imaging device 90, the imaging device 90 detects the user's line of sight, and the operation panel image 8 is displayed on the spatial display device 80 provided on the device at which the user's line of sight is directed. Therefore, in step S36, the control device 9 determines whether or not it is necessary to change the display position of the operation panel image 8 based on the signal from the imaging device 90 provided on each device.

[0082] The necessity to change the display position of the operation panel image 8 is not limited to the direction of the user's gaze, and may be determined based on the operating status of the medical diagnostic equipment 10, the user's operation, etc. For example, when the treatment chair 1 is in operation, the control device 9 switches the display of the operation panel image 8 from the tray table 3 to the backrest 1b shown in Fig. 9 so that the operation panel image 8 can be operated near the patient. In addition, when switching the display position of the operation panel image 8 in accordance with a user's instruction, for example, when the display switching button of the foot controller 5 is operated, the control device 9 switches the display position of the operation panel image 8.

[0083] In this way, the control device 9 that controls the medical diagnostic equipment 10 according to the second embodiment prohibits the sensor 83 from detecting user operations according to the operating status of the medical diagnostic equipment 10, and causes the spatial display device 80 to display the operation panel image 8 in a display mode in which the user cannot operate the operation buttons, or causes the spatial display device 80 to hide the operation panel image 8. This makes it possible to prevent the user from mistakenly performing operations that are prohibited according to the operating status of the medical diagnostic equipment 10.

[0084] The predetermined spaces are provided at a plurality of positions of the medical diagnostic equipment 10, and the control device 9 may change the position of the operation panel image 8 displayed by the spatial display device 80 according to the operation status of the medical diagnostic equipment 10. This allows the operation buttons required for the user to operate to be displayed at appropriate positions according to the operation status of the medical diagnostic equipment 10.

[0085] The control device 9 may further include an imaging device 90 that detects the user's line of sight, and when the imaging device 90 determines that the user's line of sight is directed toward a predetermined space, the control device 9 may display the operation panel image 8 in the predetermined space using the spatial display device 80. This allows the operation panel image 8 to be displayed in the user's line of sight.

[0086] In the medical diagnostic equipment 10 according to the second embodiment, an example has been described in which the display is switched from the operation panel image 8 of the tray table 3 to the operation panel image 8 of the backrest 1b, but the present invention is not limited to this. The control device 9 may control the display so that the operation panel image 8 of the tray table 3 is always displayed, and the operation panel images 8 of other devices are switched and displayed as necessary. Of course, the medical diagnostic equipment 10 may be configured so that each of the spatial display devices 80 provided in each device always displays the operation panel image 8.

[0087] (Modification) In the above embodiment, the medical treatment device 10 including the treatment chair 1, the tray table 3, and the lighting device 7 is configured to display the operation panel image 8 by the spatial display device 80. However, the medical treatment device 10 may be provided with a display device such as the monitor 6 or 50. The spatial display device may be applied to this display device. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the display of the monitor. FIG. 11(a) shows the monitor 6 provided on the tray table 3. The configuration of the spatial display device may be applied to this monitor 6 to display the display image 8a in the space in front of the original display position of the monitor 6. FIG. 11(b) shows the monitor 50 provided on the basin unit 2. The configuration of the spatial display device may be applied to this monitor 50 to display the display image 8b in the space in front of the original display position of the monitor 50.

[0088] In the above embodiment, the medical diagnostic equipment 10 including the treatment chair 1, the tray table 3, the basin unit 2, the lighting device 7, etc. has been described, but the medical diagnostic equipment 10 is not limited thereto. For example, the configuration of the spatial display device may be applied to the operation panel of a medical diagnostic equipment such as an X-ray CT device or a laser treatment device. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the display of an operation panel image of another medical diagnostic equipment. The medical diagnostic equipment shown in FIG. 12 is an X-ray CT device 200. In the X-ray CT device 200, the configuration of the spatial display device is applied to the operation unit to display an operation panel image 8c in a space in front of the original display position. Furthermore, FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the display of an operation panel image of yet another medical diagnostic equipment. The medical diagnostic equipment shown in FIG. 13 is a laser treatment device 300. In the laser treatment device 300, the configuration of the spatial display device is applied to the operation unit to display an operation panel image 8d in a space in front of the original display position.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the spatial display device 80 that displays the operation panel image 8 in a predetermined space using a mirror array imaging element has been described, and the spatial display device 80 has been described as including a display unit 81 and an imaging plate 82. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the spatial display device 80 may be a display device of another type as long as it is a three-dimensional display device that displays the operation panel image 8 in a predetermined space. Other types include, for example, a type that displays the operation panel image 8 in a predetermined space using a lens array in which many microlenses are arranged, a type that displays the operation panel image 8 in a predetermined space using a parallax image, a type that displays the operation panel image 8 in a predetermined space using light reproduction such as integral photography, and a type that displays the operation panel image 8 in a predetermined space by arranging light points three-dimensionally by scanning.

[0090] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1 Treatment chair, 2 Basen unit, 3 Tray table, 4 Treatment instrument, 5 Foot controller, 9 Control device, 10 Medical treatment equipment, 11 Seat drive unit, 12 Operation unit, 13 Panel control unit, 14 Treatment instrument drive unit, 15 Monitor control unit, 16 Basen control unit, 17 Lighting control unit, 18 Hold release identification unit, 19 Warning sound output unit, 20 Speaker, 30 Instrument holder.

Claims

1. A dental treatment device, A treatment chair in which the patient can sit and lie on their back when receiving treatment from the surgeon; A monitor for displaying a predetermined image; A tray table and A spatial display device including a display unit that displays an image including at least an operation button for operating an intraoral camera, and an image forming plate that forms an image of the image displayed on the display unit in a predetermined space on the tray table; A detection unit that detects a user's operation on the predetermined space in which the image is displayed; A dental treatment device comprising: a control unit that displays an image of the oral cavity captured by the intraoral camera on the monitor as the specified image when the detection unit detects that the operation button of the image formed in the specified space has been operated.

2. Further comprising a foot controller, The dental diagnostic equipment according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit causes the spatial display device to display the image in the predetermined space when the foot controller is operated.

3. The dental diagnostic equipment according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit changes a display mode between when the foot controller is operated and when the foot controller is not operated, and causes the spatial display device to display the image.

4. The dental treatment equipment according to claim 2 or 3, wherein when the foot controller is operated but the user does not operate the operation button within a predetermined time, the control unit prohibits the detection unit from detecting the user's operation, and causes the spatial display device to display the image in a display mode in which the user cannot operate the operation button, or causes the spatial display device to hide the image.

5. A dental treatment device as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the control unit prohibits the detection unit from detecting user operation, and displays the image on the spatial display device in a display mode in which the user cannot operate the operation button, or hides the image on the spatial display device, depending on the operating status of the dental treatment device.

6. The predetermined space is provided at a plurality of positions of the dental treatment equipment, The dental treatment device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the control unit changes the position of the image of the operation button displayed by the spatial display device depending on the operating status of the dental treatment device.

7. The dental diagnostic equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the display unit and the image forming plate are provided on an inner end side of the tray table.

8. The display unit is provided facing a bottom surface of the tray table, The dental diagnostic equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the imaging plate is provided at a position rotated by a predetermined angle with respect to the display unit so that the image can be formed in the predetermined space.

9. The dental diagnostic equipment according to claim 8 , wherein the imaging plate is in contact with the display unit and is provided at a position rotated by the predetermined angle around the contact side as an axis.

Images